Sains Malaysiana 46(9)(2017): 1641–1650

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2017-4609-37

 

An Overview of the Present Stability and Performance of EOR-Foam

(Gambaran Keseluruhan Kestabilan Semasa dan Prestasi EOR-Buih)

 

MOHAMMED FALALU HAMZA, CHANDRA MOHAN SINNATHAMBI*, ZULKIFLI MERICAN ALJUNID MERICAN, HASSAN SOLEIMANI & STEPHEN KARL D.

 

¹Center of Research in Enhanced Oil Recovery (COREOR), Universiti Teknologi Petronas

32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

 

²Fundamental and Applied Sciences Department, Universiti Teknologi Petronas

32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

 

Received: 17 January 2017/Accepted: 8 April 2017

 

ABSTRACT

Foam flooding technique, commonly known as foam assisted water alternating gas method (FAWAG) has been identified as an effective chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) technique. The ability of EOR-foam to sweep oil in low permeable zones makes it important displacement fluid in the oil industry. However, extreme reservoir conditions such as temperature, pressure and salinity have detrimental effects on the stability and the overall performance of the EOR-foam. Consequently, understanding foam stability and performance under different conditions is crucial for long term oil field application. This paper discusses the current status of the EOR-foam stability, performance and challenges from laboratory studies to field application perspective. The paper also highlights the knowledge gaps which require further research for successful field application.

 

Keywords: EOR-foam; foam application; foams performance; foam stability

 

ABSTRAK

Teknik banjir buih, biasanya dikenali sebagai kaedah air berselang-seli gas berbantu buih (FAWAG) telah dikenal pasti sebagai satu teknik pemulihan (CEOR) minyak tertingkat kimia yang berkesan. Keupayaan EOR-buih untuk menyapu minyak di zon rendah boleh telap menjadikan ia cecair anjakan penting dalam industri minyak. Walau bagaimanapun, keadaan melampau takungan seperti suhu, tekanan dan kemasinan mempunyai kesan yang memudaratkan terhadap kestabilan dan prestasi keseluruhan EOR-buih itu. Oleh yang demikian, kefahaman tentang kestabilan buih dan prestasi di bawah keadaan yang berbeza adalah penting untuk jangka masa panjang bidang aplikasi minyak. Kertas ini membincangkan status semasa kestabilan EOR-buih, prestasi serta cabaran daripada ujian makmal bidang kepada perspektif aplikasi lapangan. Kertas ini juga menyerlahkan jurang pengetahuan yang memerlukan kajian lanjut untuk aplikasi lapangan ini berjaya.

 

Kata kunci: Aplikasi buih; EOR-buih; kestabilan buih; prestasi buih

 

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*Corresponding author; email: chandram1457@gmail.com